New
Survey Finds 100% of Responding Hospitals Use Hazardous Pesticides In
or Around Facilities(Beyond Pesticides, November 12, 2003)A
first-of-its-kind survey of top U.S. hospitals finds that many major
hospitals are regularly spraying toxic pesticides, unnecessarily risking
the health of patients, staff and visitors. The survey results are detailed
in a new report, Healthy
Hospitals: Controlling Pests Without Harmful Pesticides.

The report, released
today by health advocate groups Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) and
Beyond Pesticides, offers tips and resources for how hospitals can manage
pests while also protecting the health of people and the environment.
It is available here and on the Health
Care Without Harm website.

"Hospitals
are intended to be places of healing, yet many are using hazardous pesticides
unnecessarily in a 'spray and pray' approach to pest management, when
safer and more effective methods are available," said Ann McCampbell,
M.D., of HCWH.

"Obviously
patients and staff should be protected from pests, but they also need
to be protected from pesticides," said Ted Schettler, M.D., a practicing
physician in Boston and science director of the Science and Environmental
Health Network.

"Pesticides
can cause an array of health problems, particularly in developing children,
people with asthma, chemical sensitivities or with compromised immune
systems. Some pesticides being used on hospital grounds are linked to
cancer and birth defects, as well as neurological and reproductive disorders,"
Dr. Schettler said. "Alternative approaches that reduce or eliminate
exposures can and should be used."

The survey also
offered good news: Some hospitals are having great success managing
pests with no or very few hazardous pesticides by using proven, safer
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.

A good IPM program
includes reducing pests' sources of food, water and shelter; proper
maintenance of buildings, lawns and landscapes; using a least-hazardous
pesticide only when other options have failed; and notifying patients
and staff of any pesticide use.

"There is an
urgent need for more hospitals to protect people's health by using safer
pest management practices, in keeping with the medical profession's
commitment to 'First, do no harm.'" said Jay Feldman, executive
director of Beyond Pesticides. "Our report gives hospitals all
the necessary tools to implement a successful IPM program."